Feb. 4, 2005
Box Score
EDINBURG, Texas - Things did not look good for the Texas-Arlington baseball team in its season opener against Texas A&M-Corpus Christ as the Mavericks managed only two hits and found themselves down two runs with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The attitude quickly changed as freshman Brock Wilson and senior Josh McSpadden drew back-to-back walks. Just two pitches later, Dane Ryan doubled off the base of the left field wall to score two runs and tie the score. On the next pitch, Ryan broke for third and when catcher Jorge Mico's throw sailed into left field, Ryan scampered home with the game winning run in the 5-4 victory.
The Islanders (0-1) took what was thought to be the lead for good in the second inning as a pair of Mavs errors and a misplay in the outfield led to four runs in the inning. Mico started the rally with a double to right center field. With one out, Casey Buaas reached on a Boomer Welles error to put runners on the corners with one out. Ruben Munoz drew a walk to load the bases for the top of the order. Jaime Landin made the Mavs pay as he doubled over the head of Scott Williams who almost made the catch to score two runs. Another walk, followed by Welles' second error of the inning allowed the third run to score. Jason Graham plated the fourth run of the inning before a double-play ball got the Mavs out of the inning.
UTA (1-0) got on the board in the sixth inning despite not getting a base hit. Aaron Batlle reached on a fielding error by Landin and Williams drew a walk. After a groundout advanced the runners, Joe Newman drove in the run with a groundout to second base. The second run of the inning would score on a wild pitch.
Dillon Farish (1-0) picked up the victory as he went 1.1 innings allowing one hit and striking out three. Michael Hatfield (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits in 2.2 innings of work. Preseason All-American Michael Gardner allowed four runs, one earned, on seven hits in five innings of work with four strikeouts. TAMUCC starter Trey Hearne did not figure in the decision after allowing just one hit in six innings with seven punchouts.
Josh McSpadden led the UTA offense with two hits. Nathan Warrick reached bas three times, two walks and one hit-by-pitch, also stole three bases in his UTA debut. The Islanders were led offensively by Landin, Graham and Mico with two hits apiece.
The Mavs return to action tomorrow evening as they play tournament host Texas-Pan American. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
